designing covers for marvel a lost art? even DC, etc.

[ilia]

I was in my favorite comic book store the other day, Main Stree Comics- Middletown, NY. The owner, Pete, and I got talking about covers. What started the discussion was the new FF cover by Hitch. The banner is at the bottom, it looks like a magazine cover, and the colors are muted. There is nothing there to make you pick it off the racks if you are looking very quickly.

I can't remember the IronMan title, but for 4 or 5 issues he is in the same iconic pose. It is almost impossible to distinguish the issues from each other.

Just go look at the racks, there are very few covers that grab your attention that say buy me. The colors have become very dark and muted. Look at a Maleev cover on Nova, of a Hitch FF cover, a recent daredevil cover, etc. Some of the recent Captain America covers are sharp, as was the huge Hulk face cover on the reboot series. The Ultimate Spiderman covers are pretty good, generally.

Overall the entire industry seems to have cover design apathy. Where are those iconic covers that make you want to buy a book- not miss a book because it is so bland and uninspired?

ilia

[Akira]

http://marvel.com/comics/onsale/covers/0608/ASM_561.jpg
http://marvel.com/comics/onsale/covers/0608/INV_IM_2_VARIANT.jpg
http://marvel.com/comics/onsale/covers/uploaded/0.401826001205850494image_big.jpg
http://marvel.com/comics/onsale/covers/0608/FF_558.jpg
http://marvel.com/comics/onsale/covers/0608/MOON_KNIGHT_19.jpg
http://marvel.com/comics/onsale/covers/0608/IRONFISTV2_16.jpg

Those all look damn good to me. I think you're exagerating a bit.

[KingMob]

someone post the tentacle cover

[Alex(sadly)Maleev]

How to:
http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=145061

[Marcdachamp]

That cover to Iron Fist is fucking fantastic.

I get what you're saying about the "iconic" pose covers, but it seems like that trend is dying out.

[Akira]

That cover to Iron Fist is fucking fantastic.
Seriously. It needs to be a fucking poster. Hell, if they ever did an Iron Fist movie co-starring Luke, Colleen, and Misty this could be the on-sheet right here. Covers like this make me so excited to be a comics fan.

[Jef UK]

I think the original post is completely off base for a number of reasons I don't want to bother to pursue.

[Marcdachamp]

Seriously. It needs to be a fucking poster. Hell, if they ever did an Iron Fist movie co-starring Luke, Colleen, and Misty this could be the on-sheet right here. Covers like this make me so excited to be a comics fan.

I don't even read the book and I think it's great. That's the type of cover that leaps out at you on the stands. It REALLY should be the next trade's cover.

[Thomas Mauer]

Overall the entire industry seems to have cover design apathy. Where are those iconic covers that make you want to buy a book- not miss a book because it is so bland and uninspired?

ilia

Marvel and DC are not the entire industry, and I wouldn't even lump the Vertigo and ICON imprints in there with them. Open the Previews catalog and you will see tons of inspired, iconic covers each month.

[NickT]

I can't remember the IronMan title, but for 4 or 5 issues he is in the same iconic pose. It is almost impossible to distinguish the issues from each other.

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/large/42862383328.22.gif http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/large/42862383328.23.gifhttp://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/large/42862383328.24.gif http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/large/42862383328.25.gif http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/large/42862383328.26.gif

[Run-BMC]

I don't think it's a lost art, but sensibilities have skewed. It's no longer an indication of what's inside, but first and foremost something that should get you to pick it up.

Now, in terms of cover art, illustration skill comes far less into play that design skills, which is why although there are many interior artists whose work I like more than his, I think Dave Johnson is one of the best cover artists today. His shit always makes you wonder what's inside. And that's the goal.

You're going to see more and more "cover artists", and I don't think that's a bad thing. As long as there's no "bait-and-switch", the primary motivation is to get you to buy it, whether you're a retailer or a reader.

[DaveCummings]

I think the original post is completely off base for a number of reasons I don't want to bother to pursue.

Exactly. Now, if this was say, 5 years ago, then there might be a bit more validity to the point.

[Thomas Mauer]

Seriously. It needs to be a fucking poster. Hell, if they ever did an Iron Fist movie co-starring Luke, Colleen, and Misty this could be the on-sheet right here. Covers like this make me so excited to be a comics fan.

Agreed. I would love that cover as a poster.

[NickT]

Overall the entire industry seems to have cover design apathy. Where are those iconic covers that make you want to buy a book- not miss a book because it is so bland and uninspired?
I love modern covers, they do pull me towards them. I'd much rather them than how covers used to be.

[Marcdachamp]

Exactly. Now, if this was say, 5 years ago, then there might be a bit more validity to the point.

Yeah, it really would. Amazing Spider-Man during JMS' first few years is a prime example.

[Hoggie]

I think a lot of the covers rock these days. I am really looking forward to the SI covers. And Marvel Zombies, I mean it doesn't get much better than that (even though they are interpetations of classic covers). Shit did I just condradict myself?

[Horizon Drive]

I am in the minority, but I want the covers to look like they did when I was a kid.

This was during the bronze age, so I want my comic covers to have overly dramatized version of something that occurs in the comic, a caption box which speaks to the reader, and tons of dialogue balloons.

[SteveZegers]

Look at Fables or any number of other titles. There are lots of great covers these days.

[NickT]

I am in the minority, but I want the covers to look like they did when I was a kid.

This was during the bronze age, so I want my comic covers to have overly dramatized version of something that occurs in the comic, a caption box which speaks to the reader, and tons of dialogue balloons.
I hate all that cheesey crap :)

[Horizon Drive]

Something like this:

http://www.coverbrowser.com/image/fantastic-four/182-1.jpg

[Thomas Mauer]

Something like this:

http://www.coverbrowser.com/image/fantastic-four/182-1.jpg

I can't decide whether you're nostalgic or yanking our chain! :)

[jason hissong]

Kabuki covers make me genuinely excited and stand out on the shelf.

[Horizon Drive]

Nostalgic.

In all honesty, I would love a return to the cheese of yesteryear. I started buying comics in 1977. By that time, these sort of covers were starting to be phased out. Within a year or so, dialougue balloons were no longer on covers. I actually bought this comic because of the cover.

[Dave S.]

I'm glad the Nova covers are getting a shake up.

[LazyComix]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/large/42862383328.22.gif http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/large/42862383328.23.gifhttp://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/large/42862383328.24.gif http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/large/42862383328.25.gif http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/large/42862383328.26.gif

I gotta say those covers do nothing for me. They're posters. Use any of them for any issue, it doesn't matter. It's like the old Ultimate Spidey posters when it was Spidey on various NYC landmarks. The editor could've shuffle them like a deck of cards before putting them on each issue and it wouldn't have mattered.

[Akira]

Nostalgic.

In all honesty, I would love a return to the cheese of yesteryear. I started buying comics in 1977. By that time, these sort of covers were starting to be phased out. Within a year or so, dialougue balloons were no longer on covers. I actually bought this comic because of the cover.

The throwback style was awesome on the OMD covers.

[Tyeron]

I gotta say those covers do nothing for me. They're posters. Use any of them for any issue, it doesn't matter. It's like the old Ultimate Spidey posters when it was Spidey on various NYC landmarks. The editor could've shuffle them like a deck of cards before putting them on each issue and it wouldn't have mattered.

I dunno man, i can pick out the story line from each of these issues pretty easily. And truthfully how often have comic covers been totally genuine as far as what's inside.

and i would like to know why tony is some old ass armor if i didn't already know.

i dunno.. i might just be partial to ironman which is entirely a possibility.. and the Knauf's are doing a great job

[Horizon Drive]

The throwback style was awesome on the OMD covers.

Yes sir, they were !

[LazyComix]

I dunno man, i can pick out the story line from each of these issues pretty easily. And truthfully how often have comic covers been totally genuine as far as what's inside.

and i would like to know why tony is some old ass armor if i didn't already know.

i dunno.. i might just be partial to ironman which is entirely a possibility.. and the Knauf's are doing a great job

but what about people who don't know what armor he's currently wearing? A cover should grab a new reader... and Iron Man running through a hole in the wall, while well done, is something we've seen a million times before. And I didn't even notice the "old" armor... (which is still the best armor:D)

And really, the best covers of the past spark memories of what happened in the book...

http://www.ffplaza.com/images/covers/vol1/ff48.jpg
http://theamazingspidercast.podomatic.com/2007-09-29T15_08_22-07_00.jpg

[Money]

I think it's a fine line to tread. In some ways it's nice not to have major spoilers on the cover but I see your point. I think I lean towards the generic character arc side of things though. Especially when it is someone like Maleev who can create iconic and thematically resonating images. His Daredevil covers perfectly balance the two areas I believe.

[Alex(sadly)Maleev]

I think it's a fine line to tread. In some ways it's nice not to have major spoilers on the cover but I see your point. I think I lean towards the generic character arc side of things though. Especially when it is someone like Maleev who can create iconic and thematically resonating images. His Daredevil covers perfectly balance the two areas I believe.

Your first post praising me? Awww:)

[Horizon Drive]

Your first post praising me? Awww:)


I figured that was you posting under another screen name. I was going to call for your banning.

[Money]

Your first post praising me? Awww:)

What can I say, you know your way around a cover. I have a question that's not really related to this but I've been curious. Did you design the new Batgirl during No Man's Land? I remember you being the first person I saw draw her.

[Alex(sadly)Maleev]

What can I say, you know your way around a cover. I have a question that's not really related to this but I've been curious. Did you design the new Batgirl during No Man's Land? I remember you being the first person I saw draw her.

YES, I DID.

[Money]

YES, I DID.

I always thought that was a cool design. It made me wish that artists had the freedom to interpret a costume their own way every time. Do you ever get the itch to tinker with costumes?

[ClintP]

What can I say, you know your way around a cover. I have a question that's not really related to this but I've been curious. Did you design the new Batgirl during No Man's Land? I remember you being the first person I saw draw her.


YES, I DID.

Woah! What issues did you do? I would like to see these now.

[Alex(sadly)Maleev]

I always thought that was a cool design. It made me wish that artists had the freedom to interpret a costume their own way every time. Do you ever get the itch to tinker with costumes?

I do. Look at my SpiderWoman designs.

[NickT]

I gotta say those covers do nothing for me. They're posters. Use any of them for any issue, it doesn't matter. It's like the old Ultimate Spidey posters when it was Spidey on various NYC landmarks. The editor could've shuffle them like a deck of cards before putting them on each issue and it wouldn't have mattered.
But they're not the same iconic pose, thus proving the OP wrong :)

And like Tyeron said, they are story-related.




It's how I like covers to be. A vague reference to the interior, but not spoiling the book. I don't want to be spoilt (Hello last USM cover! :) ), I don't want some random fight pose with "ENTER MANDARIN!" or whatever bollocks on the cover as Iron Man thinks something generic like "Fighting Mandarin....in outdated armour!" as Mandarin says something generic like "No one else can help you Iron Man!".

[ClintP]

It may have just been me, but I liked the recent Ant-Man covers. ;)

[Money]

I do. Look at my SpiderWoman designs.

If you wanted to change DareDevil's costume in the issues could you have asked Marvel big-wigs to do that? I'm not talking steel plates on calves change, but still.

[Alex(sadly)Maleev]

If you wanted to change DareDevil's costume in the issues could you have asked Marvel big-wigs to do that? I'm not talking steel plates on calves change, but still.

I don't know honestly, I never intended it.

[Money]

I don't know honestly, I never intended it.

Well next time you work on DareDevil make sure to ask if you can give him big novelty sunglasses.

[Doug]

I gotta say those covers do nothing for me. They're posters. Use any of them for any issue, it doesn't matter. It's like the old Ultimate Spidey posters when it was Spidey on various NYC landmarks. The editor could've shuffle them like a deck of cards before putting them on each issue and it wouldn't have mattered.

I agree. I like the story covers better then iconic covers. I want to know a little about what is going on in the comic if it's a book I don't usually pick up.

For example I loved Quesada's "old school" covers for OMD and hated the lone figure standing against a white background cover.

[NickT]

I agree. I like the story covers better then iconic covers. I want to know a little about what is going on in the comic if it's a book I don't usually pick up.

For example I loved Quesada's "old school" covers for OMD and hated the lone figure standing against a white background cover.
I liked the art on Quesada's covers, but didn't like the dialogue.

[gaspar]

Seriously. It needs to be a fucking poster. Hell, if they ever did an Iron Fist movie co-starring Luke, Colleen, and Misty this could be the on-sheet right here. Covers like this make me so excited to be a comics fan.

That is a damn fine cover!

[IPeacock]

How to:
http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=145061
I just saw the Nova cover today. I think its amazing, for the artwork itself and for the fact that you made one of the stupidest costumes in comics look cool. I actually agree to some degree with the person who started the thread, but don't think that that applys to you at all. The cover on the Daredevil hardcover with the "Golden Years" story is one of my favorite peices of comic art.

So I guess thanks ...and your welcome.

[A.Huerta]

I just saw the Nova cover today. I think its amazing, for the artwork itself and for the fact that you made one of the stupidest costumes in comics look cool. I actually agree to some degree with the person who started the thread, but don't think that that applys to you at all. The cover on the Daredevil hardcover with the "Golden Years" story is one of my favorite peices of comic art.

So I guess thanks ...and your welcome.

I thought Granov and Del Otto made him look cool as well.

[IPeacock]

I thought Granov and Del Otto made him look cool as well.
I did like the Del Otto one(s) from Annihilation. I havn't seen Granov's. No slight against any artist that drew Nova, but I think it really takes some special skill to make something as stupid as that helmet look cool.

[A.Huerta]

I did like the Del Otto one(s) from Annihilation. I havn't seen Granov's. No slight against any artist that drew Nova, but I think it really takes some special skill to make something as stupid as that helmet look cool.

http://www.novaprimepage.com/fanworks/peck1.jpg
The bottom left is the best Nova I've ever seen and it is Granov.

[IPeacock]

http://www.novaprimepage.com/fanworks/peck1.jpg
The bottom left is the best Nova I've ever seen and it is Granov.

He makes the suit look amazing. No one dose Armor better than Granov. How did you post all of those so quickly?

[NickT]

He makes the suit look amazing. No one dose Armor better than Granov. How did you post all of those so quickly?
It's one picture :)

[IPeacock]

It's one picture :)


Oh. I was like "Jesus this guy is trying to prove a point." ;)

[Patrick J]

I'll agree... to a degree

A few years ago I'd have agreed completely and said yes, many Marvel covers were kind of dull, drab etc. etc. etc. I'd have said a few years ago the only Marvel covers that were really interesting in any way were the covers to NextWave and Punisher MAX. For the most part yes; all covers were just characters in generic "iconic" poses, this was especially true for many of the covers for Runaways back in the day.

But recently, within the past year I'd say Marvel has really stepped it up and been producing some really fine cover art. Maleev's (upcoming) covers for Nova especially, I think are fantastic. All the covers for The Immortal Iron Fist have been excellent and I really loved the cover to Iron Man #24, probably one of my favorite covers in recent memory.

Some of the covers for the DC Super Hero books have been kinda dull, though. But the Vertigo covers, especially those for Fables and 100 Bullets continue to astonish.

[RickLM]

I'll agree... to a degree

A few years ago I'd have agreed completely and said yes, many Marvel covers were kind of dull, drab etc. etc. etc. I'd have said a few years ago the only Marvel covers that were really interesting in any way were the covers to NextWave and Punisher MAX. For the most part yes; all covers were just characters in generic "iconic" poses, this was especially true for many of the covers for Runaways back in the day.

But recently, within the past year I'd say Marvel has really stepped it up and been producing some really fine cover art. Maleev's (upcoming) covers for Nova especially, I think are fantastic. All the covers for The Immortal Iron Fist have been excellent and I really loved the cover to Iron Man #24 was one of my favorites in recent memory.

Some of the covers for the DC Super Hero books have been kinda dull, though. But the Vertigo covers, especially those for Fables and 100 Bullets continue to astonish.



I agree. Three or four years ago, a lot of Marvel titles were simply slapping a poster image on the cover every month, and it was getting absurd. They were completely interchangeable. But now, Marvel has come up with a good balance -- the images aren't entirely iconic, but not entirely tied to the contents of the book, either.

[rogerio]

I think some Steve Epting's covers are masterpieces:
http://www.marvel.com/comics/onsale/covers/1107/capt32.jpg
http://www.thecomicfanatic.com/new%20images/capa31.jpg
the guy is awesome...:)

[Alex(sadly)Maleev]

I thought Granov and Del Otto made him look cool as well.

Granov is a master. I am honored to be even considered in his company.

[JeremyDale]

I don't think it's a lost art, but sensibilities have skewed. It's no longer an indication of what's inside, but first and foremost something that should get you to pick it up.

Now, in terms of cover art, illustration skill comes far less into play that design skills, which is why although there are many interior artists whose work I like more than his, I think Dave Johnson is one of the best cover artists today. His shit always makes you wonder what's inside. And that's the goal.

You're going to see more and more "cover artists", and I don't think that's a bad thing. As long as there's no "bait-and-switch", the primary motivation is to get you to buy it, whether you're a retailer or a reader.

Agreed! And Dave Johnson is clearly one of the best cover artists, definitely.

- jeremy

[TomBelandTSSTG]

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/decadentdonuts/0.888721001190124799image_big.jpg

http://www.comicbooknoise.com/images/TrueStory08.jpg

[WilliamRichard1985]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/large/42862383328.22.gif http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/large/42862383328.23.gifhttp://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/large/42862383328.24.gif http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/large/42862383328.25.gif http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/large/42862383328.26.gif

Fuck yeah!

Compared to covers in the 80s and 90s,I'd say cover images have really improved.Some names that come to mind...

Aja's Iron Fist
Parel's Iron Man
Anything Maleev touches
Epting's Captain America
Ba and Moon's Casanova
Ross and Braithwaite's Justice
anything by Granov,Del'Otto and the Djurdjevics'